Band are platinum perfect
North Ayrshire schools highly acclaimed senior concert band has hit the right note once again by winning the platinum award at the National Concert Band Festival (NCBF).
Competing in the youth community wind band category, it won the prestigious title after giving a show-stopping 20-minute performance to renowned adjudicators at the festival’s regional heats in Edinburgh earlier this month.
Three Arran High School pupils – Alison Provan, Lucy Walsh and Louis Ashley – performed with the band on the day and Innes Thorburn, who unfortunately broke his leg and didn’t play in the concert, was at every rehearsal and went along on the day to support the band.
The NCBF is the UK’s largest woodwind and big band festival. Regional heats are held throughout the country and only platinum winners then go on to compete in the national competition, taking place in Warwick next April. And, thanks to their outstanding performance, the band has secured its place at the national heats.
Their win comes as a result of an extensive rehearsal schedule set by the council’s music services team. This preparation teamed with the pupils’ great determination and commitment to their chosen instrument makes them a force to be reckoned with.
Musical director Matthew Chinn has worked alongside the pupils in the run up to the competition. Speaking about the band’s achievement, he said: ‘It’s always a real pleasure to work alongside both the students and staff. The young musicians consistently perform to the highest standard and Sunday was no exception. They each rose to the challenge of preparing and performing a demanding programme and they delivered it with real maturity, musicality and passion – resulting in the platinum award.
‘They are a real credit to North Ayrshire and the council’s fantastic music service.’